ISBNs and barcodes

July 2025

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.

The barcode is a visualisation of the ISBN.

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I am often asked, do I need an ISBN and barcode?

If the book is being distributed for sale in any way, it must have an ISBN and barcode featured on the book.

If the book is only being given away, it does not require an ISBN or barcode.

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Every new book needs its own unique ISBN.

This includes revisions of an already published and then re-released book or a paperback version of a hard-cover book.

The ISBN must first be purchased, then you can also buy the barcode visualisation of it.

An e-book does not need a barcode but still should have an ISBN assigned to it for identification purposes.

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What is an ISSN?

An ISSN is a small barcode that you may see next to the main ISBN.

It is usually included in serial publications such as magazines or journals under a single title.

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When you buy an ISBN and assign it to your book title, you are connected to an international database.

The title, copyright and prices for your publication can be accessed and managed from anywhere in the world.

If a bookstore’s barcode scanner stops working, they can always put in the ISBN of your book manually and find it on a database.

Where should I buy my ISBNs?

My recommendation is to purchase all ISBNs and barcodes from Thorpe-Bowker.

Thorpe-Bowker is the official ISBN/barcode distributor for Australia.

Some initial costs are involved in registering as a self-publisher.

If you are a new publisher, the total fee will be around $200 (at the time of writing this, 2025).

You can get started by clicking here.

I am here to help and often assist clients through the ISBN/barcode buying process.

Please send me a message if you would like some advice.

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Should I use the free ISBN offered by Amazon, IngramSpark or other POD companies?

In general, I don’t recommend using free ISBNs from Amazon or IngramSpark. Free ISBNs restrict you to only distributing through Amazon/IngramSpark systems and their affiliates.

The individual doesn't technically hold the right to their imprint with a free ISBN.

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Here is a statement from IngramSpark on this topic:

What many self-publishers don’t realize is that if you do not purchase the ISBN yourself, your publisher imprint will not be associated with your book. If you use a free ISBN through a service, it will hold the service’s imprint, not your own.

If you buy an ISBN through Thorpe-Bowker, the information is legally connected to your book and can’t be changed no matter who you print/publish with.

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I hope this article has helped clarify a few questions around ISBNs and barcodes.

Credits

Written by Lillian Webb

Edited by Gina Cranson

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